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WEBSITE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Kim Malsam-Rysdon, Secretary of Health

South Dakota Board of Nursing

Unlicensed Diabetes Aide

When a licensed nurse is not available, a Registered Nurse may delegate subcutaneous insulin administration to a South Dakota Board of Nursing (BON) Registered Unlicensed Diabetes Aide (UDA) in accordance with the South Dakota Board of Nursing's Approved Protocol.  An RN may only delegate insulin administration when a licensed nurse is not physically present on site to administer the insulin.

UDA Training

To accept the delegated task of insulin administration, unlicensed personnel are required to complete the South Dakota Board of Nursing's 10-hour UDA Training Course, pass the BON's online UDA exam, and be registered by the BON as a UDA.

The training course must be led by the RN Trainer using the RN Training Checklist. The RN is responsible to teach the BON's 5-hour UDA learning modules and a 5-hour skills lab, including a skills competency evaluation using the UDA Skills Checklist.  The checklist should be maintained by the employer but does not need to be submitted to the BON office.

  • RN Training Course:  A registered nurse who meets the requirements listed in the Approved Protocol may serve as the RN Trainer and teach the required UDA training.  As prescribed in the Protocol, RNs are responsible to first complete the BON's self-paced UDA RN Train-the-Trainer modules.
  • UDA Exam Content Outline

For questions or to request learning materials, contact Tessa Stob

UDA Exam and Initial Registration

After successful completion of the UDA training:
 

  1. The applicant should submit a completed Application for Initial UDA Registration to the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
     
  2. Each applicant must take the South Dakota Board of Nursing's UDA Exam.  To take the exam, a test Proctor must be identified (often the RN Trainer).  The Proctor must have on file an approved Proctor Agreement with the BON.  To become a Proctor or to determine whether your Proctor Agreement is current, please see Proctors.
     
  3. The Proctor must adhere to the guidelines set forth within the agreement while administering the exam.
     
  4. Once the appropriately completed UDA application and the approved Proctor Agreement have been received by the BON, the Proctor will receive an email from the BON with test access information.
     
  5. Following receipt of the online access information, the Proctor may administer the exam to the UDA applicant according to the Proctor Agreement guidelines.
     
  6. Results of the exam are sent by email to the UDA applicant and to the RN.  (Applicants who fail will have the opportunity to retake the exam one time.)
     
  7. After successfully completing the exam, the applicant will be listed on the UDA Registry (allow 5-7 business days for processing.)
     
  8. The RN may now choose to delegate insulin administration to the UDA according to the Approved Protocol.

If the applicant fails the exam, the applicant should review all learning materials with an RN, particularly those categories with lower scores (the applicant receives an email that includes the category results).  Following review, the applicant may submit a UDA Exam Application to request to re-take the exam.  Applicants are encouraged to do so within 5 days if possible.

For questions on the exam process or registration contact Ashley Kroger

Registry status implies only that an unlicensed individual has met the minimal training and testing requirements necessary to accept delegated tasks by a licensed nurse while under a nurse's supervision.  Registry status does not imply that an individual has met moral, ethical, or legal standards.  The registry should not take the place of an employer's hiring screening process or background check.

Registration Verification

The UDA, RN, and employer can verify registration status at www.sduap.org.  Registration cards may also be printed from that same site; the BON does not print or mail registration cards.  UDA Registration is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.

Updates

Renewal of UDA Registration

UDA Registration is valid for 2 years after the date of issue.  Please keep your contact information updated; a courtesy renewal notice will be sent to you about 90 days prior to your registration expiration date. The renewal application process will be posted here in 2017.